Method of and apparatus for subdividing material



G. E. SEIL May 24, 1932 METHOD OF ANDAPPARATUS FOR SUBDIVIDING MATERIAL-Filed April 1, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTQRNEY5 G. E. SElL May24, 1932.

' METHODAOF AND APPARATUS FOR SUBDIVIDING MATERIAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed'April 1, 1926 lNVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented May 24, 1932 rArEsGILBERT E. SEIL, F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORSUBDIVIDING MATERIAL Application filed April 1,

This invention relates to the comminution of materials either with orwithout additional changes in the physical or chemical condition of thematerials treated. The invention may be applied as hereinafter indicatedto a variety of purposes by observation of the conditions which arenecessary to accomplish the particular object.

The comminution of materials may be the sole urpose of the operation.Thus the re- ClllCtlOIl of metals or non-metallic materials to a finelydivided condition may be desired so that these materials without furtherchange of physical or chemical condition can be utilized for variouspurposes. Examples are the comminution of the common metals such aslead,zinc, tin and aluminum. The nonmetals, such as sulphur, can likewise beproduced in a finely divided form. The invention is applicable,moreover, to the treatment of materials other than the elements such asvarious gums and resins, bituminous materials and soap. The purpose ofthe invention includes also the comminution of materials withaccompanying physical change as in the homogenization of immiscibleliquids or the separation of solvents such as water from the solidswhich are dissolved therein.

Another important application of the .in-

Vention is in conducting chemical reactions such, for example, as theproduction of sulphonated oils and benzene sulphonic acid. Theproduction of metal oxides is another example of the comminution ofmaterials accompanied by a chemical change.

The comminution of metals by subjecting a molten stream of the metal-tothe action of gaseous jets has been suggested. The earlier to attemptsin this direction have been unsuccessful and the failure of thesuggested methods has been caused primarily'by the fact that all dependupon the use of jets or a stream of gas directed to a focus slightly inadvance of the orifice through which the molten metal is exuded. Anothercause of failure has been the cooling effect of the gas upon the moltenstream of metal which causes the stream to congeal before it reaches theto point at which comminution is expected.

1926. Serial No. 99,077.

It is the object of the present invention to avoid the diflicultiesexperienced in previous attempts to accomplish the comminution ofmaterials by the effect of a gaseous stream and to providea methodwhereby the successful accomplishment of the desired object can beattained.

Another obj ectof the invention is the provision'of a method ofcomminuting materials and of controlling the conditions of temperatureand pressure which affect the operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a methodpermitting the comminution of materials and thesimultaneous and furthermodification thereof either physically or chemically, by theincorporation of the material with other materials which are introducedsimultaneously, or by a chemical reaction between these materials.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it isbetter under- I stood by reference to the following specification andaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section througha type of apparatus adapted for the application of the invention; I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in section of the outlet nozzle;

Fig. 3 is a similar'view indicating an arrangement' which permits thecombination of two or more liquid materials to accom plish either aphysical change in the material in addition to comminution of a chemicalreaction between the entering materials; and.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of apparatus.

In its broader application for the purpose of comminuting materials theinvention depends upon the observation of certain fundamental conditionswith respect to the manner in which the streams of molten material andof gas are brought together. I have found that successful comminutiondepends upon the production of a suction effect upon the stream ofmolten solid material which is to be co1nminuted.- In the attempts madeheretofore to accomplish the purpose of the invention'a-stream orstreams of gas under of a different type pressure have been introducedannularly ered, to employ an annular stream of gas under suitablepressure and to direct it so that it expands and creates a partialvacuum in the space directly in front of the orifice to which the moltenmaterial is delivered. This result is accomplished when the stream ofgas travels in a direction which is initially substantially parallel tothe axis of the orifice through which the material to be comminuted isintroduced. 1 have, in fact, succeeded in producing a vacuum in thismanner .which will sustain a column of mercury eighteen inches inheight. As the result of the powerful suction exerted 1n the zone at themouth of the orifice through which the molten solid material isdelivered, that material cannot longer exist in the form of ahomogeneous stream after it reaches the orities. The stream is tornapart into a multitude of fine particles of infinitesimal size, whichare drawn into the surrounding gas stream wherein they are chilledrapidly. The disruptive effect is suchthat no stream of molten materialis visible at the mouth of the orifice. The particles are torn awaybefore the material passes substantially beyond the orifice. Thecomminuted material may be collected by discharging the gas stream intoa suitable chamber from which the gas may escape after the fineparticles of metal or other material have settled or have been separatedotherwise therefrom.

The application of the method is not restricted to the subdivision ofmetals in the manner described. Other molten materials can bedisintegrated similarly. Sulphur, for example, can be reduced to a stateof extreme subdivision by subjecting the molten sulphur to thedisrupting efiect of suction producer in the manner described. Othermaterials, including the ordinary gums and resins, can be disintegratedsimilarly. Bituminous materials, such as the pitches obtained by thedistillation and cracking of petroleum, are

disintegrated when subjected in a molten condition to the disruptingeffect of suction applied to the molten stream. Soap can be powdered andsimultaneously dried in a similar way and solutions can be evaporatedwith the result that the solid content thereof is separated in ananhydrous condition and in a state of extreme subdivision. In utilizingthe inventionfor the purpose of removing Water from materials, it isnecessary to consider the nature of such materials. Soap, for example,will not lose all of its Water at a temperature of 100 C. It isnecessary in this case to raise the temperature of the chamber intowhich the material is discharged to a somewhat higher point, over 110(1, for example, in the production of anhydrous soap powder. Thenecessary temperature will vary in the treatment of different materials.7 V

The homogenization of immiscible liquids such as fats or oils and watercan be accomplished by the simultaneous introduction of these materialstogether with a stream of inert gas which provides the necessary suctionto disrupt the liquids. The liquids are drawn into the gas stream in afinely divided state and intimately mingled so that upon separation fromthe gas stream a perfect emulsion is obtained. The method lends itselfreadily to the homogenization of various materials which are normallyliquid or can be readily reduced to a liquid state.

The application of the method in conducting chemical reactions permitsthe production of various products which have been manufacturedheretofore only by more complicated and costly methods. The speed ofmany chemical reactions depends upon the surface contact between thereagents. There is also to be considered the variation in the total heatliberated by or removed from the system in a given time which causeslocal differences in temperature. These local temperature differences,in fact, determine the direction of the reaction and are very clifficultto control by the methods heretofore available. The former methods ofincreasing surface contact depended chiefly upon the agitation andstirring and in a few isolated cases upon reactions in the gaseous phaseWhere there is a complete diffusion.

t is well known that reactions occurring in the gaseous phase permit thecontrol of temperature pressure to a predetermined standard. The presentinvention is adapted to bring the reagents involved into a stateapproaching that of a gas and consequently to permit the control oftemperature and pressure. action such as oxidation is desired there isan ideal condition for the completion of tl reaction in the shortestpossible time. Thus.

for example, the solid material such as a metal to be oxidized is meltedand introduced in a molten condition to the point where it comes underthe influence of suction produced by an oxidizing gas The metal isdisintegrated immediately and the fine particles are subjected at onceto the oxidizing agent with the result that an or de in finely dividedform is produced. Oxides of lead, Zinc, tin, aluminum and other metalssubjecting these metals in molten condition to the action of a stream ofair or of oxygen applied in the manner herein described.

In conducting tie operati n for the com- VVhen, therefore, achemicalre-' can be formed by minution of materials without chemicalproductwithout loss.

change, it is important to observe the precaution that in the presenceof reacting gases such as oxygen the initial temperature of the chamberinto which the material is dischargcd should be relativelylow. Thecool-v mg effect of the expanding gas prevents then the attainment of atemperature at which a chemical reaction can occur. molten metal issubjected to the suction ef-- fect of air there will be no substantialoxidation if the initial temperature of the chamher is below about 150C.' If, however, oxidation is desired the initial temperature of thechamber should be above the ignition point of the metal. Upon contactwith the air, for example, the metal will oxidize and the heat therebyreleased will be sufficient to maintain the oxidizing reactionthereafter. Similarly, in conducting other exothermic reactions the heatof the, reaction may be relied upon to maintain it. The operation may becarried on for various purposes'with modiiications of the temperaturesas well as the pressures ofthe materials treated. llloreoVer, tl1etemperature and/or pressure of the chamber into which the material isdischarged'may be varied at will. Heating and c oling means may beintroduced at diflerent points in the apparatus to heat or cool theiater'als treated appropriately either before or after or during thecomminution of the materials. 7

if reactions are to be conducted between reagentswhich are normallysolid, both can be reduced to a molten condition and brought togetherunder the effect of suction produced by the gaseous stream. vThematerials are disintegrated, incorporated in the gaseous stream, andreact immediately to produce the desired product. A reaction can beconducted similarly between the reagent which is normally solid and onewhich'is normally liquid, or between a reagent which is normally solidor liquid and .onewhich is gaseous.

As an example of the application of the invention in conducting chemicalreactions be tween two or more liquids which are immiscile in eachother, concentric conduits are employed to permit the introduction offish oil and sulphuric acid to the zone in which they are simultaneouslysubjected to suction produced by an inert gas. The two materials aredisrupted and intimately mingled in the inert gas such as air. Theresulting product is sulphonated fish oil. A marked improvement over theordinary method of producing this product is evident when it isconsidered that a rise in temperature above 32 C. produces diiiicultyordinarily and results in a considerable loss. The expansion of thestream of air avoids overheating and permits, therefore, the continuousproduction of a Thus, if a The invention can be applied likewise in theproduction ofbenzene sulphonic acid.

which, being drawn into the stream of gas,

reacts with the benzene to form benzene sulphonic acid and water. Theexcess of benzene carries away the water, leaving the benzene sulphonicacid as a dry and finely comminutcd solid. The benzene can be dried toremove the water content and returned with such additions as arenecessary to the process. x

Since some of the materials treated, for example the metals, must be ata relatively high temperature sufficient to maintain their moltencondition at the moment when they are subjected to the disrupting efiectof suction, it is essential that the apparatus employed be so designedas to prevent any substantial cooling effect either by radiation,conduction orotherwise by the gas employed to produce the suction. Inthe preferred form. of apparatus the gas chamber which surrounds theoutlet nozzle has the slightest possible con tact therewith and isdesigned so that the gas does not flow in heat exchange relation withthe stream of molten material for any considerable distance.Furthermore, the stream is insulated by non-heat-conducting materialfrom the gas passage. Inthe accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 representsatype of apparatus adapted particularly for use in connection with acrucible or other receptacle in which a body of material such as a metalcan be maintained in a molten condition. Referring to; the drawings, 5indicates the wall of a crucible in which a pipe 6' of metal is secured.An inner tube 7 of refractory and insulating'material such molybdenum orother suitable metal which is not affected materially. by the moltenmaterial passing therethrough is held in the sleeve 9 by a pin 12. Awasher 10 of Alberenefis disposed between the reducer 10 and the end ofthe tube 7.

The tip 11 extends through an opening in a metal casing 18 having achamber 14c therein which is adapted to be supplied with gas underpressure through an'i'nlet 15." The gas chamber 14. surrounds the tip 11and forms an annular orifice through which the gas is ejected. It willbe noted thatthe walls of the orifice are parallel to the axis of thetip so that the annularstream of gas is projected in the direction ofthe axis. Upon expansion of the gaseous stream it will form the suctionpocket in front of the orifice in the tip '11 and the material flowingthrough the orifice will be subjected to the suction effect so that fromthe disruption thereof the desired comminution will be accomplished.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings 1 have illustrated a type of apparatus whichis adapted for use in bringing two liquid materials together for thepurpose of comminuting these materials and causing either a furtherphysical change therein or a chemical combination of the materials. Theapparatus differs from that heretofore described only in the provisionof two concentric tubes 16 of refractory and insulating material andcorresponding concentric tips 17 of material such as molybdenum or othersu'table metal which is not affected materially by the molten reagents.It is to be understood that any number of concentric tubes and tips maybe used for the purpose of bringing together two or more materials underthe influence of suction produced by the gas stream flowing through hesurrounding circular or free. lVhen two or more materials are broughtto- .ther under the effect of suction the streams of these materials aredisrupted and the particles are brought into intimate relation in tiesurrounding gas stream. As a result a further physical change such asho1nogenination may occur or the materials, if of suitable character,may react to produce chemical compounds.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings an apparatus such as that illustrated in Fig.1 is employed with a plate 18 which provides a surface disposed at anacute angle to the axis of the gas stream. The finely divided particlesare caused to impact upon the surface of the plate with the result thatthe substantially globular particles are flattened. Preferably the plate18 should be rotated at relatively high speed. The use of the platepermits the production of flakes of metal or of other materials such assoap.

The nature and pressure of the gas employed to provide the necessarysuction wil vary, depending upon the purpose to be accomplished. Thus Imay employ air or steam or inert gases such as nitrogen. If activeoxidation is desired the gaseous stream may consist of substantiallypure oxygen or of a mixture containing a larger percentage of oxygenthan is normally present in the atmosphere.

Reducing gases such as hydrogen or mixtures thereof with other gases maya o be used. In fact, any gas which is adapte the purpose of theinvention may be utilized to produce the suction and in certain casesthe gaseous stream will consist of one of the reacting materials where achemical com bination is desired. 1 have found that pressures varyingfrom forty to one hundred pounds per square inch are desirable. The

pressures will vary depending upon the nature of the operation to beconducted and the character of the materials treated. The pressuresnoted are not to be considered as limits of the possible pressures to beemployed. In general the pressure should be such as to afford thesuction effect necessary to accomplish the disruption of the liquidmaterial as it is delivered through the orifice, and l have found thatpressures of several hundred pounds per square inch can be employed toadvantage in certain cases.

The temperatures to which the material to be comminuted will besubjected will vary lilzewi c in accordance with the nature of thematerial. it should in general be a few degrees higher than the meltingpoint of the material or sufficient to maintain it in a substantiallyfluid state until it leaves the orifice and is subjected to the suctioneffect. Obviously in the case of a metal the temperature will besomewhat higher than in the treatment of materials melting at lowertemperatures. V

The feeding of the liquid material may be accomplished in any suitablewa it being preferable usually to permit it to flow by gravity from asource in which it is main tained in molten condition to the orifice.Pressure may be exerted, however, upon the liquid by the use of a pumpor otherwise so as to force it through the orifice at avelocity 1 J.J 1. i1 high r than that attainable by simple g1 avity fiow.

. As an example of the use of the invention comminute a metal such aszinc, the latter may be melted in a crucible and permitted to flow bygravity to the orifice where it is subjected to the suction efiectproduced by a stream of air or steam which is delivered at a pressureof, for example, one hundred pounds yer square inch. The air or steamthus surrounding the rifice and traveling at hi 'h velocity will createsuction sufficient to disrupt the stream of molten zinc. The lineparticles of zinc will pass into the gas stream and can be depositedtherefrom in a suitable chamber. The zinc will be found to be in anextreme state of subdivision and may be utilized for any desired purposein this form.

Sulphur may be melted likewise and delivered through the orifice in afluid condition. The molten sulphur should be heated to a temperature ofnot less than 122 C, at which temperature it has the lowest viscosity.It may be subjected to the action of a stream of air or steam at apressure of from forty to one hundred pounds per square inch Steam ispreferred because the cooling of the minutely divided particles ofliquid sulphur is more readily effected thereby. The cooling is effectedmore rapidly because of the expansion of the steam which absorbs a largequantity of heat. The minute particles of sulphur cool rapidly and canbe separated from the gas.

-Products such as gums and resins which are not easily brought to afinely divided con dition may be comminuted by subjecting them to asuitable suction in the apparatus described herein. Thus, gums such asresin (colophony), copal, kauri, dammar and ben I zoin, should be heatedto a temperature sulficient to maintain them in a fluid condition.

In that condition they can be subjected to suction efiect produced byair or steam. These gums are reduced immediately to a finely dividedform in which they can be separated from the gas employed in theoperation. Bituminous materials such as the residues from distillationand cracking of petroleum can be treated likewise-for the production ofpulverized products.

The invention can be utilized for drying as, for example, in therecovery of powdered gelatine from a solution thereof. This isaccomplished by delivering the gelatine solution through the orifice andsubjecting it to the suction efiect produced by stream of:

air under a pressure, for example, of from forty to one hundred poundsper square inch. The air absorbs the moisture and the gelatine isdelivered inthe form of fine particles as nectedthereto, the pump havingtwice the,

capacity of the volume of gas and water vapor which 1s pro ected lntothe chamber. In aslmilar way solutions of soap can be subjected to thesuction effect for the purpose of recovering the soap in a comminutedstate.

Emulsions maybe produced such, for example, as emulsions of oil andwater by subjecting the oil as it is delivered through the orifice tothesuction eiiect of steam intro duced at a pressure of from forty toone hundred pounds per square inch. The stream of oil is disrupted andthe fine particles of oil are mingled intimatelywith the steam.Substantially stable emulsions of oil and water can be produced in thisway. Materials such as asphalt can be melted and emulsified in asimilar, manner.

The production of metal oxides is carried out similarly to theproduction of comminuted metals. By utilizing oxygen or a gas enrichedin oxygen as the gaseous stream to produce the suction the molten metalwhen subjected to the suction'is comminuted and the fine particles aremingled with the highly oxidizing gas. Oxygen under a pressure oifroniforty to one hundred pounds per square inch will afford sufficientsuction for the comminution of many of the metals and the highlyoxidizin action of the gas upon the fine particles of metal will produceoxides of the metals in finely divided condition if the temperature issufficiently high to permit initiation of the reaction. The particles ofoxide can be recovered by permitting them to settle in a suitablechamber or by the use of other separating apparatus. V

In sulphonating oils the oil, such as a fish oil, and sulp iuric acidare introduced through the concentric tubes and are subjected at theorifices of these tubes to the suction effect produced by a gas such asairwhich is introduced, for example, under a pressure of sixty poundsper square inch. In this case the temperature should not be permitted torise above 32 C. The control of the temperature is accomplished readilybecause of the cooling efiect of the expanding air. Particles of oil andsulphuric acid react rapidly in the stream of air to produce the desiredproduct, sulphonated fish .oil.

7 The productionof benzene sulphonic acid can be accomplished bysubjectinga stream of sulphuric acid at the orifice to the suctionefiect produced by benzene introduced at a pressure, for example, ofsixty pounds per square inch. The operation should be regulated so thatthe highest temperature in the reaction chamber does not exceed 130 C.

and is not lower than 80 C. Below 80 C. the reaction is very slow andabove 130 C.

the product is contaminated with sulphon.

The regulation of the temperature is accomplished readily by control ofthe temperatures of the materials entering the apparatus and of thechamber in which the reaction is conducted. The benzene sulphonic acidproduced by the reaction when the finelydivided sulphuric acid entersthe stream o1 benzene is a pure and anhydrous product. It is asubstantially white solid whichseparates readily from the excess ofbenzene. The latter carries the Water vapor which is formed by thereaction from the settling chamber. The- -water can be removed from theybenzene by drying and the latter is then availableffor further use inthe operation. Substantiall the same method can be employed in theproduction of nitrobenzene by substituting nitric acid for sulphuricacid.

The foregoing indicates merely some of the applications of the inventionand the conditions necessaryto the accomplishment of the object. It ispossible 'to conduct various chemical reactions by the application ofthe principles herein described and the operation can be utilized forcomminuting a variety of materials. a V

Another development of the inventionis the production of flakes of metalor other material. The molten material is subjected to the disruptingeffect of suction produced by a stream of gas in the manner heretoforeleases a considerable amount of heat.

described and the stream is projected immediately upon a flat platehaving a polished surface which is disposed at an acute angle to theaxis of flow and preferably is rotated rapidly by suitable means such asa motor. The comminuted particles traveling at high velocity strike therevolving plate and the particles, instead of being spherical orsubstantially so, will be flattened, thus producing metallic products inthe form of scales. The revolving plate should ordinarily be from six totwenty-four inches from the orifice through which the molten material isdelivered to the gas stream. The revolving plate should be disposed atan angle to the axis of the orifice.

The carrying out of exothermic reactions in the manner hereinbeforedescribed re- For example, in the oxidation of metals to produce metaloxides the heat evolved may be in excess of the amount required tomaintain the metal in a molten condition. The heat evolved is carriedaway from the chamber in which the oxide particles settle principally bythe gas employed to provide the necessary suction. The temperature ofthis gas may in some cases rise to extremely high points, sufficient infact to melt refractory brick. The heat can be utilized in various waysand particularly in maintaining the liquid condition of the metal orother material entering the apparatus. It may be caused to circulateabout the crucible or other container for the metal or other materialfor this purpose. A part of the heat may be utilized also for theproduction of steam, for example, which is used either alone or with anadmixture of oxygen or other gas to produce suction in the apparatus.

It is impossible to indicate in a brief description of the invention allof the possible uses and advantages thereof and to specify all of theconditions which may be varied in the practice of the invention. Theresult obtained depends upon the application of a powerful suction tothe material as'it leaves the orifice, and various changes may be madein the method and in the apparatus employed without departing from theinvention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim 1. The method of comminuting materials, which comprisessubjecting a liquid stream thereof to the suction effect of asurrounding stream of gas traveling at high velocity in a directionwhich is initially substantially parallel to the axis of the liquidstream. and avoiding any substantial heat exchange cc-- tween the gasand the liquid until the latter is disrupted and mingled. with the gas.

2. The method of comminuting materials, which comprises ejecting aliquid stream thereof in a zone of reduced pressure created by asurrounding gaseous stream traveling at high velocity in a directionwhich is initially substantially parallel to the axis of the liquidstream and avoidingany substan tial heat exchange between the gas andliquid until the latter enters the zone of reduced pressure.

3. The method of drying materials, which comprises subjecting a liquidstream thereof to the suction effect of a surrounding stream of gastraveling at high velocity in a direction which is initiallysubstantially parallel to the axis of the liquid stream and avoiding anysubstantial heat exchange between the gas and liquid until the latter isdisrupted and mingled with the gas.

4E. The method of physically combining materials, which comprisesintroducing the materials in separate streams simultaneously to a zoneof reduced pressure created by a surrounding gaseous stream traveling athigh velocity and inducing by such reduced pressure the comminution ofsaid materials into fine particles and a forward movement thereof intoand with the said gaseous stream.

5. The method of physically combining materials, which comprisessubjecting liquid streams of the materials simultaneously to the suctioneifect of a surrounding stream of gas traveling at high velocity in adirection which is initially substantially parallel to the axis of theliquid streams, and thereby cause said streams to expand and divide intoline particles and to move forward and intermingle with the said streamof gas.

6. The method of conducting chemical reactions, which comprisessubjecting the material to the effect of the suction of a stream of areacting gas to disrupt and comminute the material and cause it to moveforward and to mingle with the gas in said stream to increase thesurface exposure of the material to the gas and avoiding any substantialheat exchange between the gas and the material until the latter isdisrupted and mingled with the gas.

7. The method of conducting chemical reactions, which comprisessubjecting the material to the effect of the suction of a stream of areacting gas to disrupt and comminute the material and cause it to moveforward and to mingle with the gas in said stream to increase thesurface exposure of the material to the gas, avoiding any substantialheat exchange between the gas and the material until the latter isdisrupted and mingled With the gas and recovering the heat released bythe reaction.

8. The method of conducting chemical reactions between streams of liquidmaterials, which comprises introducing the materials in concentricstreams and reducing them simultaneously to a comminuted state by agaseous stream.

9. The method of conducting chemical reactions between streams of liquidmaterials,

which comprises introducing the materials in concentric streams andreducing them simultaneously to a comminuted state in a gaseous streamby the disruptive effect of suction produced by the gaseous stream.

10. The method of conducting chemical reactions between streams ofliquid materials, which comprises reducing concentric streamsott thematerials simultaneousl to a comminuted state in a gaseous mediumtraveling at high velocity in a direction'which is initiallysubstantially parallel tothe axis of the concentric streams. I

11. The method of conducting chemical reactions between streams ofliquid materials, which comprises reducing the materials simultaneouslyto a comminutedstate in a gaseous stream by the disruptive effect ofsuction produced by the gaseous stream traveling at high velocity and ina direction which is initially substantially parallel to the axis of theliquid streams.

12. The method of conducting chemical reactions between streams ofliquid materials, which comprises introducing the materialssimultaneously in concentric streams to a zone of reduced pressureproduced-by a gasoous stream.

13. The method of treating materials, which comprises subjecting thematerial in a liquid state to the suction effect or" a stream of gastraveling at high velocity and discharging the material against arotating surface.

14:. In an apparatus for 'comminuting materials, heat-insulated meansfor introducing a stream of material to be comminuted in the liquidstate and means for directing a surrounding gaseous stream at highvelocity in a direction which is initially substantially parallel to theaxis of the liquid stream.

15. In an apparatus for comminuting materials, means for introducingconcentric streams of the materials to be comminuted in the liquid stateand means for directing a surrounding gaseous stream at high velocity ina direction which is initially substantially parallel to the axis of theliquid streams.

16. In an apparatus for comminuting materials, means for introducing astream of material to be comminuted in the liquid state and means fordirecting a surrounding gaseous stream at high velocity in a directionwhich is initially substantially parallel to the axis of the liquidstream, said means being arranged to prevent substantial heatinterchange between the liquid and gaseous streams before they arecombined.

17. In an apparatus for comminuting materials, means for introducing astream of material to be comminuted ina liquid state, means fordirecting a surrounding gaseous stream at high velocity in a directionwhich is initially substantially parallel to the axis of the liquidstream and a plate disposed at an acute angle to the axis of the liquidstream in the path of the gas.

18. In an apparatus for comminuting materials, means for introducing astream of material to be comminuted in a liquid state, 779 means fordirecting a surrounding gaseous stream at high velocity in a directionwhich is initially substantially parallel to the axis of the liquidstream and a rotating plate disposed at an acute angle to the axisof theliquid stream in the path of thegas.

19. The method of comminuting materials which comprises subjecting a vliquid stream thereof to thesuction'effectof a surrounding stream of gastraveling at high velocity in a direction which is initiallysubstantially parallel to theaxis of the liquid stream and free toexpand laterally away from said axis and avoiding any substantial heatexchange between the gas and the liquid until the latter is disruptedand mingled with the gas.

20. The method of comminuting materials, which comprisesv ejectingaliquid stream thereof in axzone of reduced pressure created by asurrounding gaseous stream traveling at high velocity in a directionwhich is initially substantially parallelto the axis of the liquidstream and free to expand laterally away from said axis and avoiding anysubstantial heat exchange between the gas and liquid until the latterenters the zone of reduced pressure. i i

21. The method of drying materials, which comprises subjecting a liquidstream thereof to the suction elliect of a surrounding stream of gastraveling at high velocity in a direction which is initiallysubstantially parallel to the axis'o'f the liquid stream and free toexpand laterally away from said axis and avoiding any substantial heatexchange be tweenthe gas and liquid until the latter is disrupted andmingled with the gas.

22. The method of physically combining materials which comprisesintroducing the materials in separate streams simultaneously to a zoneof reduced pressure created by a surrounding gaseous stream travellingat high velocity, inducing by such reduced pressure the comminutionotsaidmaterials into fine particles and a forward movement thereof intoand with said gaseous stream, and avoiding any substantial heat exchangebetween the gas and thestreams of materials until the latter aredisrupted andminged with the gas. v

23. The method or" conducting chemical reactions between streams ofliquid materials which comprises introducing the materials in concentricstreams, reducing them simultaneously to a comminuted stat by a gaseousstream, and avoiding any substantial heat exchange between the gas andthe liquid materials until the latter are disrupted and mingled with thegas.

24-. The method of conducting chemical reactions between streams ofliquid materials which comprises intr ducing the materials in concentricstreams, reducing them simultane ously to a comminuted state in agaseous stream by the disruptive. effect of suction produced by thegaseous stream, and avoiding any substantial heat exchange between thegas and the liquid materials until the latter are disrupted and mingledwith the gas.

25. The method of conducting chemical reactions between streams ofliquid materials which comprises r ducing the material simultaneously toa comminuted state in a gaseous stream by the disruptive effect ofsuction produced by the gaseous stream travelling at a high velocity andin a direction which is initially substantially parallel to the axis ofthe liquid streams, and avoiding any sul stantial heat exchange betweenthe gas and liquid materials until the latter are disrupted and mingledwith the gas.

26. In an apparatus for comminuting materials, means for introducingconcentric streams of materials to be comminuted in a liquid state andmeans for directing a surrounding gaseous stream at high velocity in adirection which is initially substantially para lel to the axis ofthe-liquid streams, said means being arranged to prevent substantialheat exchange between the liquid and gaseous streams before they arecombined.

27. In an apparatus for comminuting materials, means for introducing astream of material to be comminuted in a liquid state means fordirecting a surrounding gaseous stream at high velocity in a directionwhich is initially substantially parallel to the axis of the liquidstream, said means being arranged to prevent substantial heat exchangebetween the liquid and gaseous streams before they are combined and arotating plate disposed at an acute angle to the axis of the liquidstream in the path of the gas.

28 The method of treating materials which comprises subjecting a liquidstream thereof to the suction eifect of a surrounding stream of gastravelling at high velocity in a direction which is initiallysubstantially paral el to the axis of the liquid stream avoiding anysubstantial heat exchange between the gas and the liquid until thelatter is disrupted ano minged with the gas, and discharging thematerial against a rotating surface disposed at an acute angle to theaxis of flow.

29. The method of conducting chemical rections which comprisessubjecting concentric liquid streams of materials in reactingproportions to the effect of the suction of a surrounding stream of gastravelling in a direction wl ich is initially substantially parallel tothe axes of the liquid streams to disrupt and comminute the materialsand cause them to move forward and to mingle with the gas in said streamto increase the surface exposure 0f. the materials to each other andthereby to facilitate the reaction therebetween.

30. The method of conducting chemical reactions which comprisessubjecting concentric liquid streams of materials in reactingproportions to the effect of thesuction of asurrounding stream of gastravelling in a'direction which is initially substantially parallel tothe axes of the liquid streams to disrupt and comminute the materialsand cause them to move forward and to mingle with the gas in said streamto increase the surface exposure of the materials to each other andthereby to facilitate the reaction therebetween, and avoiding anysubstantial heat exchange between the gas and the liquid materials untilthe latter are disrupted and mingled with the gas.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

GILBERT E. SEIL.

